Systems and methods for determining safe and unsafe zones in a workspace—where safe actions are calculated in real time based on all relevant objects (e.g., some observed by sensors and others computationally generated based on analysis of the sensed workspace) and on the current state of the machinery (e.g., a robot) in the workspace—may utilize a variety of workspace-monitoring approaches as well as dynamic modeling of the robot geometry. The future trajectory of the robot(s) and/or the human(s) may be forecast using, e.g., a model of human movement and other forms of control. Modeling and forecasting of the robot may, in some embodiments, make use of data provided by the robot controller that may or may not include safety guarantees.
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2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is colored illumination.
A system for analyzing colored illumination in a controlled environment is disclosed. The system addresses the challenge of accurately detecting and interpreting colored light signals in applications such as optical communication, machine vision, or environmental monitoring, where ambient light interference or signal distortion can degrade performance. The system includes a light source configured to emit colored illumination, a sensor array to capture the emitted light, and a processing unit that analyzes the captured data to extract relevant information. The processing unit applies filtering techniques to isolate the colored signal from background noise, ensuring high-fidelity data extraction. The system may also include calibration mechanisms to account for variations in light source intensity or sensor sensitivity, enhancing accuracy. Additionally, the system can be integrated with feedback loops to dynamically adjust illumination parameters based on real-time sensor inputs, optimizing signal clarity. The use of colored illumination allows for multiplexing or encoding of information, enabling applications such as multi-channel communication or simultaneous detection of multiple parameters. The system is particularly useful in environments where precise light-based measurements are critical, such as industrial automation, medical diagnostics, or scientific research.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the condition is safety and different colors correspond to different safety levels.
A system for visual safety monitoring and alerting is designed to enhance workplace or operational safety by providing real-time visual feedback on safety conditions. The system includes sensors or data inputs that monitor environmental or operational parameters, such as equipment status, hazardous material levels, or personnel proximity to danger zones. These inputs are processed to determine a safety condition, which is then translated into a color-coded visual output. Different colors correspond to distinct safety levels, allowing users to quickly assess risk. For example, green may indicate safe conditions, yellow may signal caution, and red may denote an immediate hazard. The visual output can be displayed on screens, lights, or wearable devices to ensure visibility and prompt response. This system improves situational awareness and reduces reaction time in critical safety scenarios by standardizing safety communication through universally recognizable color codes. The approach is particularly useful in industrial, construction, or emergency response settings where rapid hazard identification is essential.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal source is a plurality of lamps distributed about the workspace.
This invention relates to a system for monitoring and controlling a workspace environment, particularly focusing on illumination management. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining optimal lighting conditions in dynamic workspaces where lighting requirements may vary based on tasks, user preferences, or environmental factors. The system includes a plurality of lamps distributed throughout the workspace, each capable of emitting light at adjustable intensities and spectra. These lamps serve as the signal source for the system, providing illumination while also enabling environmental sensing and feedback. The lamps may be configured to adapt their output in response to detected conditions, such as ambient light levels, occupancy, or user input, ensuring energy efficiency and user comfort. The distributed arrangement allows for localized control, enabling different areas of the workspace to be independently adjusted. The system may also integrate with other environmental controls, such as HVAC or shading systems, to create a cohesive and responsive workspace environment. The invention aims to improve energy efficiency, user satisfaction, and productivity by dynamically optimizing lighting conditions.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to control directionalities and beam shapes of the lamps.
A system for controlling lighting devices, particularly in environments where directional and shaped light beams are required, such as in automotive, architectural, or industrial applications. The system addresses the need for precise control over light distribution to optimize visibility, energy efficiency, and aesthetic effects. The system includes a processor that dynamically adjusts the directionality and beam shape of multiple lamps to meet specific lighting requirements. This allows for adaptive lighting solutions that can respond to changing conditions, such as adjusting headlight beams in vehicles to avoid glare for oncoming drivers or shaping light beams in architectural settings to enhance visual appeal. The processor may use feedback from sensors or predefined settings to determine optimal beam configurations. The system may also integrate with other lighting control mechanisms, such as dimming or color temperature adjustments, to provide comprehensive lighting management. By enabling precise control over light direction and shape, the system improves functionality and efficiency in various applications.
6. The system of claim 3, wherein the condition is safety and the workspace has a floor including a grid of illumination devices for selectively illuminating portions of the floor in colors corresponding to safety levels associated with volumetric regions extending upward from the floor portions.
This invention relates to safety monitoring in workspaces, particularly in environments where workers or robots operate in dynamic conditions. The system addresses the challenge of providing real-time visual feedback to indicate safety levels across different areas of a workspace. The workspace includes a floor with a grid of illumination devices, such as LEDs, that can selectively illuminate portions of the floor in different colors. Each illuminated floor portion corresponds to a volumetric region extending upward from that floor area. The colors represent safety levels associated with these volumetric regions, allowing workers or automated systems to quickly identify hazardous or safe zones. The illumination devices may adjust their output based on sensor data or predefined safety thresholds, ensuring that the visual indicators remain accurate and up-to-date. This system enhances situational awareness and reduces the risk of accidents by providing clear, color-coded safety information directly on the workspace floor. The invention may be used in industrial settings, construction sites, or other environments where spatial safety monitoring is critical.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the degrees of the condition appear in a virtual reality device.
A system provides a method for visualizing medical conditions in a virtual reality (VR) environment to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient education. The system includes a VR device that displays three-dimensional models of anatomical structures, allowing users to interact with and manipulate these models to observe symptoms and conditions. The VR device renders visual representations of medical conditions, such as tumors, fractures, or degenerative diseases, with varying degrees of severity. Users can adjust the severity levels to simulate different stages of a condition, enhancing understanding of its progression. The system may also include input devices, such as controllers or gesture recognition, to enable precise interaction with the VR models. Additionally, the system may integrate with medical imaging data, such as MRI or CT scans, to generate personalized VR models based on patient-specific anatomy. The VR environment allows healthcare professionals to collaborate in real time, sharing insights and annotations on the displayed conditions. This approach improves diagnostic training, patient communication, and treatment planning by providing an immersive, interactive way to explore medical conditions.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is audible.
This invention relates to a system for generating and processing signals, specifically focusing on audible signals. The system is designed to address challenges in signal detection, transmission, or processing where audible signals are required for user interaction, monitoring, or communication purposes. The system includes a signal generation component that produces an audible signal, which can be a tone, voice, or other sound-based output. The audible signal is then transmitted through an output device, such as a speaker or audio interface, to ensure it is perceptible to users or other systems. The system may also include processing components to modify, analyze, or relay the audible signal based on predefined criteria, such as frequency, amplitude, or duration. This ensures the signal meets specific operational or regulatory requirements. The invention is particularly useful in applications where audible feedback is necessary, such as alarms, notifications, or audio-based communication systems. The system may integrate with other components to enhance functionality, such as sensors for detecting environmental conditions or interfaces for user input. The audible signal can be customized to convey different types of information, improving usability and reliability in various environments.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the condition is safety and the audible signal has a varying amplitude and/or a frequency corresponding to a dynamically changing safety level as a human moves within the workspace.
This invention relates to a safety monitoring system for workspaces, particularly in industrial or hazardous environments where human movement must be tracked to prevent accidents. The system detects a human's position within a workspace and generates an audible signal that varies in amplitude and/or frequency based on a dynamically changing safety level. As the human moves closer to or farther from hazardous areas, the audible signal adjusts in real-time to indicate increasing or decreasing risk. The system may also include a visual indicator that changes in response to the safety level, providing additional feedback. The safety level is determined by comparing the human's position to predefined hazardous zones or thresholds within the workspace. The audible signal serves as an immediate warning, helping the human avoid unsafe conditions without requiring direct interaction with the system. This dynamic feedback mechanism enhances situational awareness and reduces the likelihood of accidents in environments where safety risks are present.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor implements a safety protocol specifying a minimum separation distance between the machinery and a human, the degrees of the condition corresponding to different separation distances.
This invention relates to a safety system for machinery that monitors and enforces safe operating conditions to prevent human injury. The system includes a processor that evaluates environmental conditions, such as proximity to humans, and adjusts machinery operation based on predefined safety protocols. The safety protocol defines a minimum separation distance between the machinery and a human, with different degrees of the monitored condition (e.g., proximity levels) corresponding to varying separation distances. The system dynamically adjusts machinery behavior to ensure compliance with these safety thresholds, reducing the risk of accidents. The processor may also integrate additional sensors or data sources to refine condition assessment and enforce adaptive safety measures. The system is designed to operate in environments where human-machine interaction is frequent, such as industrial or robotic workspaces, to enhance workplace safety. The invention improves upon prior systems by providing a more granular and responsive approach to safety enforcement, where the machinery's operation is modulated based on real-time condition analysis rather than fixed thresholds. This ensures that safety measures are proportionate to the actual risk level, optimizing both protection and operational efficiency.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the workspace is computationally represented as a plurality of voxels.
A system for computational modeling of a workspace divides the workspace into a three-dimensional grid of discrete volumetric units called voxels. Each voxel represents a small, finite portion of the workspace, allowing for precise spatial mapping and analysis. The voxel-based representation enables efficient storage, processing, and manipulation of data related to objects, materials, or environmental conditions within the workspace. This approach facilitates tasks such as collision detection, path planning, and simulation of physical interactions by breaking down the workspace into manageable, quantized regions. The system may further include sensors or input devices to capture real-world data, which is then mapped onto the voxel grid for digital representation. The voxelized workspace can be dynamically updated in real-time or batch-processed to reflect changes in the physical environment. This method improves computational efficiency and accuracy in applications such as robotics, virtual reality, and industrial automation, where precise spatial awareness is critical. The voxel-based structure allows for scalable and adaptable modeling, accommodating varying levels of detail and resolution based on application requirements.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal is colored illumination.
This invention relates to a method for processing signals, specifically colored illumination signals, in a system designed to enhance visual or data analysis. The method involves capturing a signal, which in this case is colored illumination, and applying a transformation to the signal to improve its quality or usability. The transformation may include filtering, modulation, or other signal processing techniques to adjust the signal's properties. The processed signal is then output for further use, such as display, analysis, or transmission. The method ensures that the colored illumination signal is optimized for its intended application, whether in imaging systems, communication devices, or other technologies where precise signal handling is critical. The invention addresses challenges in maintaining signal integrity and accuracy, particularly when dealing with complex or variable illumination conditions. By applying targeted transformations, the method ensures that the output signal is reliable and suitable for downstream processes. The approach is adaptable to different types of colored illumination, including those used in medical imaging, industrial inspection, or consumer electronics. The overall goal is to provide a robust solution for handling colored illumination signals in various technical domains.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the condition is safety and different colors correspond to different safety levels.
This invention relates to a system for visualizing safety conditions using color-coded indicators. The method involves monitoring a condition, such as safety, and assigning different colors to represent varying levels of safety. For example, a green color may indicate a safe condition, while red may indicate a hazardous condition. The system dynamically updates the color display based on real-time data to provide immediate visual feedback. This approach allows users to quickly assess safety levels without requiring detailed analysis or interpretation. The method can be applied in various environments, including industrial settings, transportation systems, or emergency response scenarios, where rapid recognition of safety status is critical. By using color coding, the system enhances situational awareness and reduces the risk of human error in safety-critical situations. The invention may also include additional features, such as audible or haptic alerts, to further improve safety communication. The color assignments can be customized based on specific requirements or industry standards to ensure consistency and clarity. This method improves upon traditional safety monitoring systems by providing a more intuitive and universally understandable visual representation of safety conditions.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal is provided by a plurality of lamps distributed about the workspace.
This invention relates to a system for monitoring and controlling a workspace, particularly in industrial or manufacturing environments, where visibility and safety are critical. The problem addressed is the need for improved illumination and monitoring of workspaces to enhance safety, efficiency, and operational awareness. The system uses a plurality of lamps distributed around the workspace to provide a signal, which may include light-based communication or status indicators. These lamps are strategically placed to ensure uniform and adequate lighting while also serving as data transmission points. The signal provided by the lamps can be used for various purposes, such as indicating operational status, alerting workers to hazards, or facilitating communication between different system components. The distributed lamp configuration ensures that the signal is reliably received across the workspace, reducing blind spots and improving overall system performance. The lamps may be synchronized or controlled centrally to maintain consistency in illumination and signal transmission. This approach enhances workplace safety by ensuring that critical information is visible and accessible to all personnel in the area. The system may also integrate with other monitoring or control systems to provide a comprehensive solution for workspace management.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the signal comprises controlling directionalities and beam shapes of the lamps.
This invention relates to lighting systems that dynamically adjust the directionality and beam shapes of lamps to optimize illumination. The problem addressed is the need for flexible, adaptive lighting solutions that can tailor light distribution to specific environments or tasks without requiring physical repositioning of fixtures. The method involves generating a control signal to modify the directionality and beam shapes of lamps in real-time. This is achieved by adjusting optical elements, such as reflectors, lenses, or diffusers, or by using directional light sources like LEDs with steerable beams. The system may incorporate sensors to detect environmental conditions, user preferences, or task requirements, allowing the lighting to adapt automatically. For example, in a smart home, the system could narrow the beam for focused task lighting or widen it for ambient illumination. In industrial settings, it could direct light toward work areas while avoiding glare. The invention improves energy efficiency by directing light only where needed and enhances user comfort by reducing unnecessary illumination. The method may also integrate with smart home or building automation systems for centralized control. The key innovation is the dynamic adjustment of both directionality and beam shape, providing precise control over light distribution in various applications.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein (i) the workspace has a floor including a grid of illumination devices and (ii) generating the signal comprises selectively illuminating portions of the floor in colors corresponding to safety levels associated with volumetric regions extending upward from the floor portions.
This invention relates to a safety monitoring system for a workspace, particularly for environments where workers or robots operate in close proximity. The system addresses the challenge of providing real-time visual feedback about safety levels in different areas of the workspace to prevent accidents or collisions. The workspace includes a floor with a grid of illumination devices, such as LED lights, embedded or mounted beneath a transparent or translucent surface. These devices are used to generate a visual signal by selectively illuminating portions of the floor in different colors. Each illuminated floor portion corresponds to a volumetric region extending upward from that area, with the color indicating the safety level of that region. For example, red may indicate a high-risk area where movement is restricted, yellow may indicate a cautionary zone, and green may indicate a safe area. The system dynamically adjusts the illumination based on real-time data, such as the positions and movements of workers, robots, or other objects within the workspace. This visual feedback helps users quickly identify safe and unsafe areas, reducing the risk of accidents. The system may also integrate with other safety protocols, such as automated shutdowns or alerts, to enhance workplace safety.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein degrees of the condition appear in a virtual reality device.
A system and method for monitoring and displaying health conditions in a virtual reality (VR) environment. The invention addresses the challenge of providing real-time, immersive health monitoring by integrating physiological data with VR experiences. The method involves capturing biometric data from a user, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or respiratory rate, and processing this data to detect and quantify health conditions. The detected conditions are then visualized in the VR environment, allowing users to observe their health status in an interactive, three-dimensional format. For example, a user may see a graphical representation of their heart rate or stress levels as they navigate a virtual space. The system may also include adaptive feedback mechanisms, where the VR environment responds dynamically to changes in the user's condition, such as adjusting difficulty levels or providing relaxation prompts. This approach enhances user engagement with health data, making monitoring more intuitive and engaging. The invention is particularly useful for applications in telemedicine, fitness tracking, and mental health therapy, where immersive feedback can improve user adherence and outcomes.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the workspace is computationally represented as a plurality of voxels.
A system and method for spatial computing involves representing a physical workspace as a three-dimensional grid of discrete volumetric units called voxels. Each voxel encodes spatial and environmental data, enabling precise tracking of objects, interactions, and user movements within the workspace. The voxel-based representation allows for efficient computational processing, including collision detection, path planning, and environmental mapping. By dividing the workspace into voxels, the system can dynamically update spatial relationships, optimize resource allocation, and support real-time interaction with virtual or physical elements. This approach improves accuracy in spatial tracking and enables advanced applications such as augmented reality, robotics, and virtual simulations. The voxel grid may be dynamically adjusted in resolution or size based on environmental conditions or computational constraints, ensuring adaptability across different use cases. The method further includes techniques for merging or subdividing voxels to maintain optimal performance while preserving spatial fidelity. This voxel-based workspace representation enhances computational efficiency and enables scalable, high-precision spatial computing applications.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal is audible.
A system and method for generating and processing signals to enhance communication or interaction in a technical domain, such as audio-based systems or user interfaces. The invention addresses the challenge of effectively conveying information through signals, particularly in environments where clarity or detection is critical. The method involves producing a signal that is audible, meaning it falls within the human hearing range (typically 20 Hz to 20 kHz) and can be perceived by users without additional equipment. This audible signal may be used for notifications, alerts, or feedback in applications like alarms, voice interfaces, or assistive technologies. The signal can be modulated or encoded to carry additional data, such as frequency shifts or patterns, to convey specific information. The system may include a signal generator, a transmitter, and a receiver or sensor to detect and interpret the audible signal. The method ensures that the signal is distinguishable from background noise and can be reliably processed by users or devices. This approach improves communication efficiency and accessibility in environments where visual or tactile feedback may be limited.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the condition is safety and the audible signal has a varying amplitude and/or a frequency corresponding to a dynamically changing safety level as a human moves within the workspace.
This invention relates to safety monitoring systems in workspaces, particularly for alerting humans to dynamically changing safety conditions. The system detects a human's position within a workspace and evaluates safety risks based on proximity to hazards, environmental factors, or other dynamic conditions. When a safety risk is identified, the system generates an audible signal that varies in amplitude and/or frequency to indicate the severity of the risk. For example, as a person moves closer to a hazard, the signal may increase in volume or shift to a higher-pitched tone, providing an intuitive warning. The system may also incorporate additional safety measures, such as visual alerts or automated shutdowns, depending on the severity of the risk. The dynamic adjustment of the audible signal ensures that the warning is proportional to the threat level, enhancing situational awareness and reducing the likelihood of accidents. This approach is particularly useful in industrial, construction, or automated environments where safety conditions can change rapidly. The invention improves upon static warning systems by providing real-time, context-aware alerts that adapt to the user's movements and the evolving safety landscape.
22. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of implementing a safety protocol specifying a minimum separation distance between the machinery and a human, the degrees of the condition corresponding to different separation distances.
This invention relates to safety protocols for machinery in industrial or automated environments, particularly focusing on maintaining safe distances between machinery and human workers. The problem addressed is the risk of accidents or injuries when humans interact with or are in proximity to automated machinery, where improper separation can lead to hazardous conditions. The method involves implementing a safety protocol that defines a minimum separation distance between machinery and a human operator. The protocol includes multiple degrees or levels of separation, each corresponding to different allowable distances based on the operational state or risk level of the machinery. For example, higher-risk states may require greater separation distances, while lower-risk states may permit closer proximity. The system dynamically adjusts the separation requirements based on real-time conditions, such as machinery speed, movement, or operational mode, to ensure worker safety. Additionally, the method may include monitoring mechanisms to detect and enforce compliance with the specified separation distances, such as sensors or alerts to warn of potential violations. The overall goal is to reduce accidents by ensuring that humans remain at a safe distance from machinery during operation.
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July 2, 2020
December 6, 2022
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